Valence-sur-Baïse (Valença de Baïsa) is a commune located in the north of the Gers department, in the Occitania region (France). Historically and culturally, the commune is in Condomois, a former district of the province of Gascony with the title of county.
Exposed to an altered oceanic climate, it is drained by the Baïse river, the Auloue, the Manipau streams, the Gressillon stream and various other small rivers. The town has a remarkable natural heritage, consisting of a natural area of ecological, fauna and flora interest.
Valence-sur-Baïse is a rural commune that has 1,127 inhabitants as of 2021. It is part of the Condom catchment area; its inhabitants are called Valenciens or Valenciennes.
Main attractions
- Flaran Abbey is an Abbey of Cistercian monks, founded by the Escaladieu Abbey in 1151. Today the abbey is the Gers Heritage Conservation Center, and belongs to the department.
- Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church of Valence-sur-Baïse and access to its belvedere between the two towers, for a view of the surrounding countryside and the Pyrenees.
- The town hall square, an arcaded square typical of bastides, with its 3 wells, out of the hundred in the village.
- The Porte de l’Hérisson (13th century), on the promenade of the ramparts, the longest of all the bastides in the Gers (1,275 m). On the south side, the fortification walls overlook a cliff naturally carved out by erosion, with Mediterranean vegetation (prickly pears).
- The Hount de Las wash house, from the 19th century.
- The botanical trail.
- The marina, on the Baïse with its locks including Graziac, a double lock downstream from the village. Upstream of Valence-sur-Baïse, the river is closed to navigation.
- Rouquette Castle, 18th century, private.
- The Château de Léberon, an Armagnac production area.
- The Tower of Gardès, 13th century.
- The Baïse trail, a walk which leads from the port to Flaran Abbey, then extends to Condom, passing through the Graziac double lock.
- Numerous hiking trails and cycling routes start from the village, and allow you to discover the rich architectural and landscape heritage surrounding.
How to get to?
From Paris: 7 hr 10 min (736 km) via A10
From Toulouse: 1 hr 37 min (114 km) via N124
From Andorra: 4 hr 5 min (297 km) via N124
From Barcelona: 5 hr (507 km) via AP-7 and A61
From Madrid: 7 hr 16 min (688 km) via A-1
From Monaco: 7 hr 1 min (694 km) via A8
From Moscow: 37 hr (3,524 km) via E30/M1
From Belgrade: 20 hr 4 min (1,998 km) via E70
From Istanbul: 30 hr (2,947 km) via E70
From Bern: 8 hr 59 min (937 km) via A89
Main information
Area: 27,60 km2
Population: 1 127
Coordinates: 43°52′59″N 0°22′56″E
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Visa: Schengen
Time: Central European UTC +1
See here Pyrenees travel guide
See here France travel guide
See here Spain travel guide
